Which muscles act to propel food down the length of the pharynx to the esophagus?

Video transcript

Hi, everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem together, the three pairs of muscles that line the pharynx and contract in sequence to move food down the throat are named. The answer options are a Patois B. Stylo rings, C phal constrictors and D salpingo syringes. So the fax is the throat and all our answer options contain phra in some way. So let's look at some other prefixes in the answer options in order to determine the correct answer. So option A patois pala sounds like palette and it means palette. This is a muscle that is part of the soft palette, which is the roof of the mouth and its function is to close off that nasal sting, swallowing. Personally, I wouldn't enjoy things going from my mouth up into my nose. So I think you, however, as much as I like you, you are not the correct answer. So we're gonna go ahead and eliminate. Option A. Now, option B, the stylo rings, stylo references the styloid process. Now, where is the styloid process? Recall that it's part of the temporal bone? So this muscle runs from that styloid process to the pharynx and it helps to elevate the pharynx during swallowing again. It's not the correct answer we're looking for. So option B is incorrect. Salpingo means tube. Option D, the Salpingo rings connects the eus station tube and PHX and it helps to open and close that Eus station tube during swallowing again. Another muscle, I'd like to thank you for your hard work food in my ears. Sounds like a big no, go for me. But once again, not the muscle. That is our answer. So, option D is incorrect. That means that the correct answer is option C. Now, the phal constrictors, these are three pairs, there's the su superior, the middle and the inferior and they literally constrict in sequence to be able to push food down the pharynx. So again, the correct answer is option C parental constrictors. All right, everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.